Climbing toy



Nov. 10, 1953 v w, T, JR 2,658,306

CLIMBING TOY Filed May 19 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. l .4

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM J. HOLT JR. Y ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 w. J. HOLT, JR

CLIMBING TOY Filed May 19, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4 A

Fig.7

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM HOLT JR.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,658,306 CLIMBING roY 'wmsm mat, Jr., (than, Ta. Application May 19, 1950, Serial at. 163.014

. 12 Claims.

This invention relates to toys and more particularly to animated toys. 7

Toys of the animated type are preferred .by children since movement. attracts their attention. The mechanisms of such toys which induce the movement must be durable in order to withstand the rough handling to which they are subjected and at the same time must be of simple construction in order to facilitate: assembly and maintain the cost of the toy reasonably low. Animated, toys are also often used in displays to attract the attention of, the passersby. In order to achieve this result the toy, must possess some quality which will intrigue the observer.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide. a new and improved animated toy.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved animated toy of rugged and simple construction.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved animated toy having a figurine which continuously oscillates along a supporting member.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a new and improved animated toy having an animating mechanism whose method of operation is not apparent to the observer.

Briefly stated my new and improved animated toy comprises a hollow shell made in the form of an animal, human being, or any object. A toggle mechanism is fastened within the shell which moves a catch into operative and inoperative positions. The catch projects toward an upright member, such as a rod, when in operating position and engages the upright rod on which the shell is sli'dably secured. The .pole is continuously vibrated in a vertical plane by any suitable prime mover, such as an electromagnet excited by an alternating current. The catch engages the rod when the rod is moving. upwardly which carries the shell upward. When the rod moves downwardly, the catch, due to the inertia of the mechanism and shell, slides on the rod and retains its vertical position. In this manner the. shell eventually and rapidly reaches .the upper end of the pole and the toggle mechanism moves the catch to inoperative position allowing the shell to drop to the base of the rod. When the shell contacts the base of the toy, the toggle mechanism moves the catch to operative position and the shell again climbs the pole. Since the vibratory movement of the rod is imperceptible where the alternating current has the usualfrequency of sixty cycles per second, the source of power and method of operation of the toy will not be apparent and the toy will therefore intriguethe observer. In one embodiment of ,my invention the device is provided with a double catch in order to make the rate of descent of the shell. down the rod substantially equal to the rate of ascent of the shell. In this embodiment, the rod may be held in horizontal position without afiecting the movement of the shell along the rod. I V

For a better understanding .of my invention reference, may be had to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a front toy; v v

Figure 2 is a partlysectional perspective view of the device of Figure 1 with some parts removed; I I

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of another portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 2 Figure 4A is, a front plan view of a part of the mechanism shown in Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a plan view showing the inner surface of, one half ofthe shell covering the mechanism shown in Figure 3;. p Figure 6 is a perspective View of the mechanism showingthe mecham'sm as it appears when the shell is descending on the upright pole;

Figure? is a perspective view of a modified form of the device disclosed in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a part of the device disclosed in Figure '7; and

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified part of the device shown in Figure 4.

Referring now especially to Figures 1 to 5 the preferred embodiment of my invention there illustrated comprises a figurine vlllwhich travels on an upright member H between a base [2 and a top member l3. The upright member may bea rod of. wood or metal ora hollow tube. The top member I3 is rigidly secured to the upper end of upright member It by any conventional means. The lower endof upright member H is secured to a prime mover which causes the upright member H to vibrate in a vertical. plane.

In the illustrated embodiments of my invention, the prime ,mover comprises a. coil 14 mounted on the middlev leg 15 of a. three legged core l6.. Thecoil I4 is connected to a, suitable source of alternating current or of pulsating'unie directional current by means of leads I! and the plan view of the animated conventional plug IS. The lower end of metal upright member illustrated in Figures 1 to 4A has a reduced portion H! which extends through an aperture in a fiat, preferably laminated, member 28 of magnetic material. The lower end of reduced portion I9 is peened as at 2| to secure the upright member rigidly to fiat member 20.

The flat member is movablv secured above the core |'6 by means of a bracket 22 and a flat pad of soft rubber 23. Bracket 22 has a main channel shaped portion consisting of a pair of upright legs 24 and 25 and a horizontal connecting member 26. The outer legs 21 and 28 of core |6 fit in legs 24 and 25 of bracket 22.

A pair of tabs 29 and 38 on leg 24 are bent over the top of leg 21 to hold it in bracket 22 while a similar pair of tabs 32, one of which can be seen in Figure 4, similarly hold leg 28 in bracket 22.

The rubber pad 23 lies directly above tabs 29 to n- 32, coil I4 and the legs I5, 21 and 28. The flat member 20 overlies pad 23 and both are held in place by ears 33 and 34 which are bent over the ends of member 28 and pad 23. Tabs 35 and 36 and 31 and 38 provided on ears 33 and 34, respectively, are employed to prevent lateral displacement of member 28 and pad 23.

It will be noted that member 28 is spaced from the ends of legs [5, 21 and 28 so that the magnetic flux induced in core l6 by the current in coil M will attract the fiat member 28 and cause it to bend toward leg l5. This will cause upright member II to move downwardly. When the flow of current in coil I4 is interrupted the resilience of member 20 will cause it to return to its original position. By interrupting the flow of current in coil |4 periodically, the upright member H may be kept in a continuous state of vibration. An alternating current in coil l4 will, of course, cause a periodically varying magnetic force to be exerted on fiat member 20 so that an alternating current will also cause vibrational movement of upright member The rubber pad 23 located between flat member 20 and core l6 prevents lodgment of dirt or other matter between the member 20 and the legs I5, 21 and 28 of core I 6 which might prevent vibrational motion of fiat member 28. In addition, by selection of a rubber pad 23 having a proper elasticity, the amplitude of vibration of member 28 and upright member II can be controlled. The less elastic the rubber pad 23, the smaller will be the amplitude of vibration of members 2!! and II. If desired, pad 23 may be omitted if the flat member 2|! is sufficiently resilient. The amplitude of vibration of upright member II can also be varied by varying the physical dimensions of member 20 which will vary the resilience of member 28. The amplitude of vibration of upright member I I can also be varied by varying the ampere turns of coil l4. It will be understood, that other electromagnetic or mechanical vibrators may be employed to impart vertical vibrational motion to upright member Bracket 22 and core l6 may be mounted in any suitable manner in the hollow base |2 which has a top 39 provided with an aperture 40 through which passes member The lower end of base I2 is provided with a bottom 4|. The leads I1 of coil H are brought to the outside by any suitable means, such as an aperture 42 in base |2.

Bracket 22 and core l6 may be rigidly mounted in base |2 between bottom 4| and top 39 which abut the bottom and top of bracket 22, respecof two halves 43.

tively. Any suitable means, such as glue, may be employed to rigidly secure bottom 4| and top 39 to the side 42a. If desired rubber padding, not shown, may be employed between bracket 22 and top 39 and bottom 4| to dampen the vibrations transmitted to base |2. Bracket 22 may also be secured to base l2 by springs, not shown to dampen vibration of base l2.

The figurine or shell I8 is hollow and consists The interior of one of the halves 43 is shown in Figure 5. The halves 43 are supported on a substantially U-shaped metal frame 44. The edges of frame 44 are received between a pair of U-shaped ridges 45 and 46 formed on the inner surface of each half 43. The two halves 43 are pressed together and glued about their edges. Frame 44 is then held rigidly by the ridges 45 and 46 between the two halves 43. It will be understood that this method of mounting shell ID on frame 44 is especially appropriate where halves 43 are made of plastic. If shell I0 is of sheet metal, any appropriate conventional means may be employed for this purpose. The parallel sides 41 and 48 of frame 44 are provided with registering apertures 49 and 58, respectively, which receive upright member The figurine or shell I!) is preferably designed to conceal frame 44 completely and so appropriate apertures 5 la which register with openings 49 and 58 are also provided in shell It).

A mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 5|, is mounted on frame 44 to control the movement of figurine or shell I 0 on upright member Mechanism 5| comprises a support 52 provided with reduced ends 53 and 54 which fit in apertures 55 and '56, respectively, of sides 41 and 48. A slot 51 located intermediate ends 53 and 54 receives a catch 58 which has a downwardly bent portion 59 whose edge 68 contacts upright member II when catch 58 is in its 0D- erative position. Catch 58 is also provided with laterally and oppositely extending ears 6| and 62 which extend beyond the lateral edges of slot 51 and maintain catch 58 in slot 51.

Support 52 is also provided with a pair of notches 63 and 64 in which are pivotally mounted the spaced arms 66 and 61, respectively, of toggle member 68. Arms 66 and 61 have inwardly facing notches 69 and 10, respectively, which engage slots 63 and 64, respectively. Toggle member 68 also has an inwardly extending tongue 1| lying between arms 68 and 61 to engage one end of a spring 12 whose other end is engaged by a tongue 13 of catch 58. Toggle member 68 is also provided with a rearwardly opening slot 14.

Arms 41 and 48 of frame 44 are provided with a. pair of registering apertures 15 and 16, respectively, which receive a toggle operating rod 11. Rod 11 has two pairs of laterally extending projections 18 and 19 between which lie the rear portions of toggle member 68 adjacent slot 14, rod 11 being disposed within slot 14. Rod 11 is also provided with a pair of oppositely extending projections 88 which lie perpendicular to projections 18 and 19. It will be noted that aperture 16 is irregularly shaped to permit rod 11 and projections 18 and 19 to pass through aperture .16. Projections 80, however, cannot pass through aperture 16. Since rod 11 and aperture '15 are of rectangular shape, rod 11 cannot be turned once it is placed in apertures 15 and 16. The upward movement of rod 11 relative to frame 44, therefore, is limited by projections 80.

The toggle mechanism is easily assembled. Toggle member 68 is mounted on support 52 by aoaaaoc 5 pulling arms- 6$ and 6 1 slightly apart 'a nd {sliding them through slots 63- and 6t of support -52 until slots 69 and "H1 01 toggle member engage "in slots 63 and- 64 Toggle membr 68 1's then' 'pivot ally mounted on support -52 since slots 69 and I -E are sufii'ciently large to allow pivotal movementof togglemember ES. The bent portion 59- or catch 58 i's'then slippedthrough the slot 51- of support 52. Ears'lii and 62' project laterally beyond the vertical sides-of-slot 5'! "and contact support member 5-2 -preventing catch 5% from passing completely through slot; 5 1. S1ot' 5'l is of such size as to permit pivotalmovement of catch 58. The opposite ends of helical spring T2 are. then slipped over tongues: T8 and ll "of catch- 58 and "toggle member 68, respectively. Spring 12 is under compression and pushes against ears-61 and 6 2 to maintain c'atch. 58. in its position on support- 52. Support 52' is then mounted in frameby pulling sides 41 and 48 slightly apart and slipping support 52' between sides 4! and 28 until reduced ends 53 and 54 slip into apertures 55 and 56. Arms 41 and '48 are then allowed to resume their original positions and maintain support 52 rigidly imposition. The; halves 43 of shell H3 are then placed on opposite sides of frame 44 so that each side oi frame 44: is received between a pair-of ridges 45 and 46. The halves 43' are then secured to each \other by any suitable means, e. g'., glue. Each half 43 is provided with a pair of registering slots 81 and 8 2 which coincide with similar slots in the other half 43 to form apertures: through which project the upper and lower ends of: rod. 11.. The upper end of rod IT may abut a hat 83 which is secured to the rod H by any suitable means. Ifdesired the head of the figurine I may be secured to the upper end of rod TI and be separate from and movable with respect to the body of the shell Hi. The head then would. be pushed into or toward shell it. each time it contacted top 13.

The upright member H is then passed through apertures 49 and t and: the top member l3 fixedly secured to. the. upper end of member H. The toy is then assembled and: in/operating. con;- dition.

Assuming now that the various: parts of the toggle mechanism are in the positions shown in Figure 2, the spring 12 exerts a "downward force on tongue 13 and ears '5! and 62 of. catch 58.. pivoting catch 58: and holding theedge 60 01 bent portion 59 against upright member H. As is clearly indicated in the drawing, the free end of bent portion 58 is cut on a bias so that the edge Si) is fairly sharp. If upright member I I is vibrating parallel tov a vertical axis, the edge 6!) im maintained immovable with respect to member l I when member H is moving upwardly. is due to the force exerted by spring 12 and the engagement of edge 60' with the surface of member H. Edge 60 tends to bite into member H to a slight extent. Frame 44 is: therefore moved upwardly.

During this half of the vibratory cycle of member H, an upward velocity is imparted to frame 44. Frame H and shell l0, therefore, will tend to move upwardly due to inertia after the upward movement of member H is arrested. In the succeeding half of the vibratory cycle of member H, member H moves downwardly. The inertia of frame 44', however, will tend to continue to move it upwardly or at least maintain it in its vertical position. Since the catch 58 is yieldingly pressed against member H and since the edge 60 will not tend to bite into member [I when-member It moves; downwardly wim respect to framerfl'. the: frames'ttand the structures: it

supports will maintain the vertical. position to which they were raised the preceding half cycle of vibratory motion of member I I. The next half cycle in which an. upward movement of member Hf occurs will again. result in the upward displacement of; frame 44 and figurine it. Since therfrequency of the alternating current delivered to coil [4 will in most instances be sixty cycles per second, upright member H will be moved upwardly one hundred and twenty times a second. Theinterruptions in the movement of figurine w arathereiore, not apparent to the eye. Shell H) appea 'rsto more smoothly and uninterruptedlyup member H. The vertical motion of member I l, is also. not apparent to the eye. Since the cause or the movement of shell i=0v cannot be perceived by the observer without an inspection of the mechanism, which is hidden by base 42 and shell ill. the observers of the toy are intrigued.

When frame 44 and shell in ascend member H and approach top member 13, the hat 83' contacts the lower surface of top member 13- and is pushed downwardly with respect to shell [0 as the upward movement of shell It! continues. Hat 8-3 is secured to the upper end of rod 11 and pushes it downwardly with respect to frame 44. The lateral projections 18 on rod H- push on toggle member 68 and cause it to pivot downwardly against the resistance of spring 12. When toggle member 68 pivots to a position approximately perpendicular to support 52, spring. 12 causes catch 58 to pivot with a snap action, the bent portion 59 being moved closer to support 52. At the same time toggle member 68 finishes its downward pivotal movement with a. snap action. The position of the various parts of toggle mechanism 5| when rod H has been pushed downwardly to actuate the toggle action is illustrated in Figure 6. Since edge 60 of bent portion 59 no longer contacts member H, frame 44 and shell I!) will drop until the lower end of rod 11 contacts top 39 of base l2' and is pushed upwardly relative to frame 44. The toggle mechanism 5| will then be moved back toithepositiorr shown in Figure 2 due to the action of projections: 19 which cause toggle member 58 to pivot upwardly. Frame 44 and shell l0 will therefore again ascend upright member H and will continue to move up and down as long as coil. I4 is energized.

It. will be; apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the animated toy without departing from my invention. For example, catch 58 maybe provided with an additional bent portion 8 l which may be spot welded or secured in any other conventional manher to. catch 58, The bent portion has a free end provided with an edge 82 cut on a bias which contacts upright member H when rod i1 is in its down position as is shown in Figure 7. Bent portion 81 prevent frame 44 from falling freely along upright member H by pressing against upright member H at all times. The descent of frame 44- is then controlled by bent portion H in a manner similar to that in which bent portion 59- controls its ascent.

When catch 58 is provided with the additional bent portion 81, the member H no longer need be held in a vertical position. Frame 44 will move to and fro along member H even if it is held in a horizontal position or in any intermediate position between the horizontal and vertical positions.

The means for vibrating upright member H need not be placed at the lower end of member I I. Upright member ll could be suspended by its upper end. In that case the means for vibrating member ll would be connected to the upper end of member ll,

When upright member I I is a wooden rod 83, see Figure 9, it may be mounted on fiat member 20 by means of a metal socket 84 having a reduced end 85 which may be peened as at 86 to secure socket 84 to fiat member 20.

It will be apparent that the speed with which the shell I ascends upright member II will depend on the amplitude of vibration of upright member II which in turn depends on the amplitude of vibration of fiat member 20. The amplitude of vibration of fiat member 26 can be varied in the several ways set forth above. It will be understood that while I have shown and described a particular electromagnetic vibrating means, other means both electrical and mechanical may be employed to vibrate upright member I I. Member II can be of any suitable length, the only limitation on the length of member H being the rigidity and weight of member H.

Figurine or shell Ii can be a representation of an animal such as a monkey. In that case top l3 could be made to represent the foliage of a palm tree. It is obvious that shell It can be made to represent various animals and human characters such as clowns or acrcbats. Top I3 can then be made to represent any desired object which will provide the environmental setting 9. propriate to the animal or setting.

While I have shown end described preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made Without departing from my invention and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An animated toy comprising an upright member having an upper end provided with a top which extends outwardly from said upright member and a lower end; a base; an electromagnetic vibrating device in said base secured to said lower end for imparting longitudinal vibratory motion to said upright member; a frame slidably secured on said upright member, said frame having a pair of spaced parallel substantially horizontal sides provided with registering apertures adapted to receive said upright member and connected by a substantially vertical connecting member; a support rigidly secured between said pair of parallel sides and parallel to said connecting side; a catch pivotally secured to said support and having a downwardly bent portion provided with an edge adapted to engage said upright member, said catch preventing downward movement of said frame relative to said upright member when said edge contacts said upright member and allowing downward movement of said upright member when said edge contacts said upright member; a toggle member pivotally secured to said supporting member; a spring between said toggle member and said catch, said spring biasing said catch to a first position in which said edge contacts said upright member when said toggle member is near the upper of said pair of parallel sides and biasing said catch to a second position in which said edge is remote from said upright member when said toggle member is near the 8 lower of said pair of parallel sides; an operating rod slidably secured to said frame and engaging said toggle member for moving said toggle member to said first position when said frame reaches a position adjacent said base and for moving said toggle member to said second position when said frame reaches a position adjacent said top, said operating rod having opposite ends adapted to contact said base and said top respectively to move said operating rod from one position to another as said frame approaches said base and said top.

2. The toy of claim 1, and a figurine mounted on said frame.

3. An animated toy comprising an upright member having a longitudinal axis; a vibrator secured to said upright member for vibrating said upright member parallel to said longitudinal axis; a frame slidably secured on said upright member for movement parallel to said longitudinal axis; a catch pivotally mounted on said frame and having an edge adapted to engage said upright member to prevent upward movement of said upright member relative to said frame but to allow downward movement of said upright relative to said frame; a toggle member pivotally mounted on said frame; a spring between said toggle member and said catch, said spring biasing said catch to a position in which said edge contacts said upright member when said toggle member is pivoted to a first position and biasing said catch to a position in which said edge is remote from said upright member when said toggle member is pivoted to a second position; and means movably mounted on said frame and contacting said toggle member for moving said toggle member from one of said positions to the other.

4. An animated toy comprising an elongated member symmetrically arranged about a longitudinal axis; a vibrator secured to said elongated member for vibrating said member parallel to said longitudinal axis; a figurine slidably secured on said elongated member; a catch pivotally mounted within said figurine and having an edge adapted to engage said elongated member and constrain said figurine to move with said elongated member during movements of said elongated member in one direction parallel to said axis and allow said figurine to slide on said elongated member during movements of said elongated member in the opposite direction parallel to said axis; a toggle member pivotally mounted within said figurine; a spring between said toggle member and said catch, said spring biasing said catch to a position in which said edge contacts said elongated member when said toggle member is pivoted to a first position and biasing said catch to a position in which said edge is remote from said elongated member when said toggle member is pivoted to a second position; and means slidably mounted in said figurine for selectively moving said toggle member from one of said positions to the other.

5. An animated toy comprising an elongated member symmetrically arranged about a longitudinal axis; a vibrator secured to said elongated member for vibrating said member parallel to said longitudinal axis; a figurine slidably mounted on said elongated member; a catch pivotally mounted on said figurine and having an edge adapted to engage said elongated member and constrain said figurine to move with said elongated member during movements of said elongated member in one direction parallel to said axis and allow said figurine toslidealong said elongated .member during movements of said elongated member in the. opposite direction parallel to said axis, the inertia of said figurine allowing movement of said elongated member relative to said figurine when said elongated member ismoved in said opposite direction in vibratory movement of said elongated member; and means mounted on said figurine engaging said catch for selectively moving said catchv to a position in which said edge contacts saidelongated member and to a positionin which said catch is remote from said'elongated member.

6. An animated toy comprising an elongated member symmetrically arrangedabout a longitudinal axis; a vibrator secured to saidLelongated member for vibrating said member parallel to said longitudinal axis; a figurine slidably mounted on said elongated member; and a catch pivotally mounted within said figurine and having an edge yieldingly pressed against saidelongated member, said catch allowing movement of said figurine in one direction along said elongated member and preventing movement of said figurine in the opposite direction along said elongated member; and means mounted on said figurine and engaging said catch for selectively moving said catch to a position in which said edge contacts said elongated member and to a position in which said catch is remote from said elongated member.

7. An animated toy comprising a base; an upright supporting member having an end secured to said base; an outwardly extending member on the other end of said supporting member; a figurine slidably mounted on said supporting member; means secured to said figurine and adapted to engage said supporting member; means engageable with said base and said outwardly extending member secured to said figurine and engaging said first mentioned means for selectively moving said first mentioned means into engagement with said supporting member when said figurine approaches saidbase; and out of engagement with said supporting member when said figurine approaches said outwardly extending member, said first mentioned means when in engagement with said supporting member allowing movement of said figurine in one direction along said supporting member and preventing movement of said figurine in the opposite direction along said supporting member; and a vibrator operatively associated with said supporting member for vibrating said supporting member parallel to the direction of movement of said figurine along said supporting member.

8. An animated toy comprising a base; an upright supporting member having an end secured to said base; an outwardly extending member on the other end of said member; a figurine slidably mounted on said supporting member; means secured to said figurine and adapted to engage said supporting member; a toggle mechanism secured to said figurine engageable with said base and said outwardly extending member and engaging said first mentioned means for selectively moving said first mentioned means into engagement with said supporting member when said figurine approaches said base and out of engagement with said supporting member when said figurine approaches said outwardly extending member, said first mentioned means when in engagement with said supporting member allowing movement of said figurine in one direction along said supporting member and preventing movement .cfsaid figurine in the :op-'

positedirection along said supporting member; and a vibrator operativelyassociated with said sili tpoitingv member vfor vibrating said supporting member parallel to the direction of movement of said figurine 7 along said/supporting member.

9. animated. toy comprising. an upright supporting member; :a figurine slidably mounted on said supporting, member; a catch mounted withinsaid figurine and having apair of arms, eachloi said pairoi .arms-beingadapted to open- :atively engage .said supporting member; a tog.- gle mechanismwithi-n said figurine for selectively moving-one oi'said pair of armsinto engagement with said supporting member and simultaneously moving. the other! of. said pair of arms out of engagement with said supporting member, said .oneof said pair of arms when inengagcment with said. supporting member allow-ing movement ofi said {figurine in one direction along said supp r-ting member and preventing movement of said figurine in the opposite direction along said supporting-member, the other or said pair of arms when in engagement with said supporting member allowing movement of said figurine along said supporting member in said opposite direction and preventing movement of said figurine in said one of said directions; and a vibrator connected to said supporting member for vibrating said supporting member parallel to the direction of movement of said figurine along said supporting member.

10. An animated toy comprising an upright supporting member; a figurine slidably mounted on said supporting member; a catch mounted within said figurine and having a pair of arms, each of said pair of arms being adapted to operatively engage said supporting member; means within said figurine for selectively moving one of said pair of arms into engagement with said supporting member and simultaneously moving the other of said pair of arms out of engagement with said supporting member, said one of said pair of arms when in engagement with said supporting member allowing movement of said figurine in one direction along said supporting member and preventing movement of said figurine in the opposite direction along said sup porting member, the other of said pair of arms when in engagement with said supporting member allowing movement of said figurine along said supporting member in said opposite direction and preventing movement of said figurine in said one of said directions; and a vibrator for vibrating said supporting member parallel to the direction of movement of said figurine along said supporting member.

11. An animated toy comprising an upright supporting member; a figurine slidably mounted on said supporting member, a bifurcated catch mounted with said figurine and having a pair of arms, each of said pair of arms being adapted to operatively engage said supporting member; a toggle mechanism within said figurine for selectively moving one of said pair of arms into engagement with said supporting member and simultaneously moving the other of said pair of arms out of engagement with said supporting member, said, one of said pair of arms when in engagement with said supporting member allowing movement of said figurine in one direction along said supporting member and preventing movement of said figurine in the opposite direction along said supporting member, the other of said pair of arms when in engagement with said supporting member allowing movement of said figurine along said supporting member in said opposite direction and preventing movement of said figurine in said one of said directions; and a vibrator connected to said supporting member for vibrating said supporting member parallel to the direction of movement of said figurine along said supporting member.

12. An animated toy comprising an upright elongated member having a vertical longitudinal axis; a vibrator connected to said elongated member for vibrating said member parallel to said vertical longitudinal axis; a figurine slidably mounted on said elongated member; a catch pivotally mounted on said figurine and having an edge adapted to engage said elongated member and constrain said figurine to move upwardly with said elongated member during upward movements of said elongated member and to allow said figurine to slide along said elongated her relative to said figurine when said elongated member is moved upwardly during vibratory movement of said elongated member.

WILLIAM J. HOLT, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,617,126 Kurten Feb. 8, 1927 1,804,265 Minick May 5, 1931 1,922,802 Gueydan Aug. 15, 1933 2,046,178 Musser June 30, 1936 2,098,809 Musser Nov. 9, 1937 2,443,354 Johnson June 15, 1948 2,547,164 Lemke Apr. 3, 1951 2,572,752 Ostrander Oct. 23, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,453 Great Britain 1899 657,431 France Jan. 15, 1929 

